Founded in 1943, the Waterford Foundation is one of America's first community-based historic preservation organizations. Our mission is to preserve the historic buildings and open spaces of the National Historic Landmark of Waterford, Virginia, and, through education, to increase the public's knowledge of life and work in an early American rural community.
1,420 acres including the village and its surrounding open space were designated a National Historic Landmark . It is the highest designation of historic significance possible in our country and places Waterford on par with Mount Vernon and Monticello—a rare honor. Landmark designation was based on what the U.S. Secretary of the Interior perceived as an extraordinary balance between the buildings of an intact 18th – 19th century rural mill town and the unspoiled agricultural setting that surrounds it.
Historic Buildings Preservation
The Foundation's efforts to preserve the National Historic Landmark include preservation of the historic buildings it owns in the village as well as providing preservation support to individual owners of historic properties that also are contributing structures to the village.
Rural Landscape Preservation
The Foundation strives to preserve the rural landscape within and adjacent to the Waterford National Historic Landmark, as well as the historic character of Waterford's architecture. This mission has become increasingly important as growth and development of Loudoun County has exploded. In recent years, the Foundation has acquired and placed under permanent easement a number of farms within the Landmark District.
